Shifters

Complications

Struggling to let out an already stifled scream, Josh clawed at the empty air as darkness enveloped his vision. Alarmed by his sudden impediment, he was vaguely aware of the still vibrating ring around his middle finger. Unsure of what to expect, he attempted to call out to his companions, who'd stood a few paces ahead of him just moments ago. 

"Patricia, Elle?" he said, shouting as loud as he possibly could. 

However, despite his best efforts, not only was his voice also stolen but so was his ability to move. Left only with his now racing thoughts, genuine panic began to assail him as he floated aimlessly in the blackness. 

'What is this?' he wondered, as a slew of thoughts invaded his mind, 'Did the ring bring me here, or is this some unknown magic being worked by the enemy? Where's Patricia and Elle? Are they okay or have they already been...?" he faltered, thoughts trailing off as his mind strayed to the worst possible outcome, 'No!' he continued, snapping himself out of his negative mindset, 'Think Josh!' he chastised, 'How'd you get here?' he began, pushing thoughts of his friends being slaughtered to the back of his mind. 

Staring all around him, nothing but pure darkness could be seen swirling to and fro within his immediate surroundings. Racking his brains for an answer as to why his current predicament had felt so familiar, a spark of pain went off in his head as he finally recalled the memory. 

'How could I forget,' Josh wondered, panic lessening as the previously fading memory became emboldened in his mind. 

"It is no fault of yours," said a voice that sent shivers directly down his spine, "You'll find that recollections of our interactions will be quite difficult to maintain."

'It's you!' Josh exclaimed mentally. 

"Although I am capable of hearing your thoughts, do you not think it rude to abstain from using your voice in my presence?" the being scolded. 

"I tried that earlier-" Josh said aloud, surprise welling up inside as his previously stolen voice had now been recovered, "How'd you do that?"

"I did nothing," the voice claimed innocently, "Your mind has subconsciously imposed those restrictions on yourself."

"You're saying that I'm somehow doing this to myself?" Josh questioned skeptically, "Yeah, I'm not buying it."

"It is simply the truth," the entity replied calmly, "Do what you will with it."

'Is he telling the truth?' Josh wondered, staring down at his immobile form. 

"There you go speaking with your mind again," the voice interrupted, "I assure you, my words are never filled with lies."

Embarrassed by his forgetfulness, Josh concentrated on his limbs as he willed himself to move. To his surprise, just as the voice had claimed, he'd suddenly regained the ability to move freely. 

"Wait a minute," Josh said snapping out of his stupor, "If I'm here, where are the others? Are they safe?" 

"Such lesser beings are irrelevant!" the being replied. 

"Maybe they are to you, however, they're my friends," Josh returned, "So tell me where they are!" he said before adding, "Please!"

"Those you seek are currently safe for the moment," the being replied as a perfect replica of Josh's last moments with his companions suddenly rippled through the air. 

"How do I know that this is real?" Josh questioned, "Wh-what if," he began, stuttering as he spoke, "they're already gone?"

"They're very much alive," the voice said in a somewhat exasperated tone, "Or should I say it's more like they're frozen."